Breastfeeding in the thick of it....

My sweet Lola has been trying to "ween" herself for about 7 months now. So says a host of well meaning people. If that is indeed what she has been trying to do then too bad - she has one stubborn momma. The interesting thing is that the kid will not drink any brand of formula, fresh milk or the like. Yogurt is about as close as we come... but she loves her momma's milk. She doesn't however like to sit for very long when she is wide awake and nurse. So what on earth do I do? Well, I let Lola be Lola. Now maybe my mom is right - if she gets hungry enough she will drink another form of milk, but why on earth would I plan to withhold what God in His infinite wisdom created for her to drink and hope that she would accept a substitute? Yes, she still wakes me up twice each night to nurse and usually ends up in my bed. I used to think this was a destestable practice. I've read all the well meaning books that have been written about training children and I even followed them with my oldest - and she complied nicely, but kids weren't made with a cookie cutter and despite my efforts to conform to the Western norm, my Lola will not conform. I'm writing this post today to encourage all the moms out there who are struggling with sleep deprivation, all those who are wondering where they went wrong with breastfeeding since their child doesn't comply with their efforts to set feeding parameters, moms who cringe at the thought of being criticized for co-sleeping, and especially for all the moms who think their sweet little babe is trying to "ween" himself and think it may be time to do so. I have wrestled with all these things and finally I have come to the conclusion that moms just do what they need to do. They do what is best for their babies. Breast milk is best for your baby so keep on keeping on! When you decide it is the right time to transition your darling to some other form of liquid nutrition then make that decision because you know it is the right time, not because you have been bullied by a cultural standard that your child may not be able to fit. Questions and comments valued!